Doughnut machine with floating kettle having heat transfer coils and a removable operating unit with the kettle



E. J. ROTH 3,329,081

G KETTLE HAVING HEAT TRANSFER ATING UNIT WITH THE KETTLE July 4, 1967 7Sheets-Sheet l DOUGHNUT MACHINE WITH FLOATIN COILS AND A REMOVABLE OPERFiled Aug. 5, 1965 INVENTOR. ERNEST J. ROTH BY www 5, SW 5. m

97' ORNEV E. J. ROTH July 4, 1967 3,329,081 TRANSFER NG UNIT WITH THEKETTLE DOUGHNUT MACHINE WITH FLOATING KETTLE HAVING HEAT COILS AND AREMOVABLE OPERATI Filed Aug. 5, 1965 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 8N am g Nb 4. 8 Ral Wk .I||.I- Ill am .Iiliill. IK IL II I II II J @m mma VI|\ July 4,1967 .J. ROTH 3,329,031

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ERNEST J FZOTH July 4, 1967 E. J. ROTH 3,329, DOUGHNUT MACHINE WITHFLOATING KETTLE HAVING HEAT TRANSFER COILS AND A REMOVABLE OPERATINGUNIT WITH THE KETTLE Filed Aug. 1965 7 Sheetrysheet 4 INVENTOR. ERNESTJ. Eo-TH y 4, 6 E J. ROTH 3,329,081

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INVENTOR.

ERNEST Jv ROTH- BY v HTTOENEV United States Patent DOUGHNUT MACHINE WITHFLOATING KETTLE HAVING HEAT TRANSFER COILS AND A RE- MOVABLE OPERATINGUNIT WITH THE KETTLE Ernest J. Roth, Ridgewood, N.J., assignor toConsolidated Foods Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation ofMaryland, also doing business as Joe Lowe Company, Englewood, NJ.

Filed Aug. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 477,535 13 Claims. (Cl. 99-405) ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE A doughnut machine having a supporting structurecomprising a main outer frame for supporting the main driving mechanismsfor the receiving conveyor, turn-over device and the delivery conveyor,a spaced inner frame supported by said main outer frame atlongitudinally spaced intervals; a frying kettle suspended by said innerframe and being free of any fixed attachments thereto; and said fryingkettle having a series of spaced built-in heating units through whichthe frying shortening is heated by means of a heat transfer fluid beingcirculated therethrough. A removable supporting structure within thefrying kettle having the receiving conveyor, turn-over device and thedelivery conveyor mounted thereon, and readily separable means forconnecting and disconnecting said receiving conveyor said turn-overdevice and said delivery conveyor to their respective main drivingmechanisms on the main outer frame, without dismantling or requiring theuse of special tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention The presentinvention relates generally to improvements in doughnut machines, and ithas particular relation to the construction of relatively largecommercial machines, whereby the frying shortening is heated by a heattransfer fluid in a heater located at a remote distance from the fryingkettle, the frying kettle is mounted in a free floating manner wherebyits expansion and contraction cannot cause undue stresses and strainscapable of opening the welds therein, and the operating mechanism withinthe kettle can be removed as a unit for thorough cleaning of the kettle.

Heretofore, in large commercial doughnut machines the frying kettleswere securely bolted to the frame structure and were equipped eitherwith a series of direct gas burners under the bottom of the kettle orgas fired tubes passing through the sidewalls of the kettle. Theexpansion and contraction of the metal of which the kettles werefabricated frequently set up sufiicient stresses and strains to causeopenings of the welds, allowing the shortening to leak therefrom. Suchheating means also provided non uniform heat, localized overheating,excessive surface temperatures or hot spots that were injurious to thedough forms being fried therein, gave oif gas fumes, created firehazards and caused the formation of sludge and scale in the fryingkettles that were exceedingly diflicult to clean and remove, creating anunsatisfactory dirt problem.

Such prior art frying kettles had flat table-top side flanges formedintegrally therewith for mounting the operating mechanisms for drivingthe various conveyors and turn-over device. With this construction, theheat of the shortening in the frying kettle was directly conducted intothe driving mechanisms, causing undue warpage, constant binding andfrequent break downs.

3,329,081 Patented July 4, 1967 ice 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With thepresent invention, all of the above disadvantages have been obviated,and there is provided a safe, sanitary and efficient frying kettle thatcannot unduly warp, the temperature may be controlled within a fewdegrees and the formation of sludge and scale has been eliminated.

With an even control of heat of the shortening in the frying kettle witha fluctuation not exceeding a few degrees, the fried doughnuts have agreater uniformity of color and cell structure, which results in thefried doughnuts having an increased and more uniform expansion. It isalso possible with the same amount of absorption of shortening to reducethe scaling weight of the raw dough forms approximately ten percent andproduce a better eating doughnut of comparable size due to its moreuniform expansion. This increased expansion of the raw dough forms hasresulted in approximately a six percent savings in doughnut flour.

An object of the present invention is to provide a frying kettle for adoughnut machine which utilizes a remote heating unit and a heattransfer liquid to heat the shortening in the frying kettle, therebyeliminating gas fumes, fire hazards, sludge, scale and dirt problems.

Another object of the invention is the unique arrangement of thebuilt-in heating coils on the sides and bottom of the frying kettle toprovide a uniform heat that may be easily and automatically controlledwithin a short range of a few degrees.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel mountingmeans for the frying kettle which may be aptly termed free floating,whereby the frying kettle is free to expand and contract with changes ofthe temperatures so that no great stresses or strains will be set up inthe kettle suflicient to cause openings in its welds and leaks in thekettle through said openings.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frying kettle whoseshortening may be heated through a heat transfer liquid that isthermally stable, chemically inert, non-corrosive and non-volatile,forming a closed heating system that is safe, sanitary and eliminatesall fumes, smoke and flame.

- A further object of the invention is to provide a doughnut machine inwhich the frying kettle is mounted on a supporting structure which isseparate and substantially insulated from the supporting structure forthe operating mechanism, thereby preventing the heat from the fryingkettle being passed directly, as by conduction, to the operatingmechanism, causing warpage, binding and eventually breakdowns,especially in its driving shafts.

Another object of the invention is the simple mounting of the operatingconveyors and turn-over device as a unit that can be easily and quicklyraised above the kettle to permit a quick, thorough and sanitarycleaning of the inside surfaces thereof.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention, which resultin simplicity, economy and efficiency, will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description, wherein a preferred form or embodimentof the invention is shown, reference being bad to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals indicate likeparts:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a largecommercial doughnut machine embodying the principles of the in vention,but with its conventional dough former left OK for the sake ofclearness;

FIGURE 2. is a longitudinal sectional view of the ma chine shown inFIGURE 1, same having been taken substantially along the line 2-2thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows; and also illustratingin dotted lines the dough former, a smoke collecting hood above thekettle with its supporting structure, showing how the several conveyingmechanisms may be raised and removed from the kettle as a single unit;

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 33of FIGURE 1, looking in the d1- rection of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of a, chain coupling of the drivingunit for the turn-over device, the same having been taken substantiallyalong the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the chain coupling shown inFIGURE 3 with its chain removed to show the spacing therebetween, thesame having been taken substantially along the line 5-5 thereof;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the main outer and innerframe members, which support the driving mechanisms and frying kettle,respectively;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the inner and outersupporting frame members, showing in greater detail the manner ofassembly, the mounting of the frying kettle and also the details of oneof the angular brackets and its clamping member;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the removable unitary supportingstructure for the conveyors and turnover device which are mounted withinthe frying kettle, showing the shafts and sprockets which operate theseveral conveyors and the turn-over device, said driving chains havingbeen eliminated to better illustrate the details thereof;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of one of theoperating units which connect a main outer drive to an inner chainconveyor through a chain coulin P FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sideelevational view taken substantially along the line 1010 of FIGURE 8,showing the adjustable means for taking up slack in a conveyor chain;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the frying kettle,showing the quadrant arrangement of the several heating coil units fordistributing the heat transfer fluid, one section being shown witharrows indicating the directional flow of the heat transfer fluidtherethrough;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially along the line 12-12 of FIGURE 11, showing the manifoldconnecting the side heating coil to the bottom heating coils of thefrying kettle;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary diagrammatic side elevational view of theapparatus used to raise the hood and the inner removable supportingstructure from the frying kettle to facilitate cleaning of the latter;and

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary diagrammatic end elevational view of theapparatus shown in FIGURE 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings andparticularly FIG- URES 3, 6 and 7, there is shown the main features of ametal supporting frame structure consisting of a tubular outer framemember 32 rectangular in cross-section and a spaced inner frame member34 which is square in cross-section.

The outer frame member 32 is of a substantially rectangular shape,having a pair of widely spaced tubular top side rails 36 and 38 (seeFIGURE 3), which are welded onto a spaced series of supporting legs 40.The legs 40 are also connected adjacent their lower ends by a secondpair of similarly spaced tubular bottom rails 42 and 44. Each of thelegs 40 is provided with a conventional independently adjustable foot 46for leveling the supporting structure upon installation. The legs 40 arealso connected transversely by intermediate cross braces 48, bottomcross braces 49 and end cross braces 50. The upper side rails 36 and 38,and lower side rails 42 and 44 along with the intermediate cross braces48 and bottom cross braces 49 are welded to said legs 40. The end crossbraces 50 have vertically extending end flanges 52 and 54, which aresecured by tap bolts 56 to the inner sides of the legs 40.

The fixed metal inner frame member 34, as best shown in FIGURES 6 and 7,provides a structural support for the frying kettle 12. It will be notedthat the inner frame member 34 is made up of a series of longitudinallyspaced straight sections 61 and right angle end sections 63, formingnon-connected longitudinally extending top side rails spaced inwardlyand slightly below the top surface of the top side rails 36 and 38 ofthe main outer frame member 32. The intermediate top rail sections 61 ofthe inner frame member 34 are supported from the side rails 36 and 38 ofthe main outer frame member 32 by a series of longitudinally spacedtransversely extending supporting brackets 70, as best shown in FIGURE7. The integrally formed base plates 72 of the supporting brackets aremounted to the inner sides of the top side rails 36 and 38 by a pair ofvertically spaced tap bolts 74. The inwardly extending and horizontallyprojecting arm 76 of the bracket 70 is welded to the outer side of therail sections 61 and 63. Each of the angular end sections 63 has adownwardly projecting arm 65, whose lower end is welded to the uppersurfaces of the end cross braces 50. The metal frying kettle 12 will bemounted on the tops of the rails 61 and 63 in a suspended free floatingmanner, which will be hereinafter described in greater detail.

Mounted in longitudinally spaced relation on the top surfaces of the topside rails 36 and 38 of the main outer frame member 32 are a series oflongitudinally spaced flat metal plates 80, 82, 84 and 86. These platesare secured to said top side rails 36 and 38 by tap bolts 88 extendingvertically upwardly therethrough. The plates 80, 82 and 84 providesuitable mountings for the driving mechanism for the receiving conveyor14, turn-over device 16 and delivery conveyor 18, respectively, whichare best shown in FIGURE 1. These plates also provide suitable basemountings for a stainless steel cover 89.

THE FRYING KETTLE The metal frying kettle 12, as best shown in FIGURE11, is of a rectangular shape. It has a bottom 90 welded to upstandingside walls 92 and 94 and upstanding end walls 96 and 98. A reinforcingbar 99 is welded below the junction of the bottom and each of the sideand end walls, as best shown in FIGURE 12.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, it will be noted that the upstandingsidewalls 92 and 94 each has an integrally formed outwardly extendinghorizontal flange 100, whose free outer edge is turned downwardly at aright angle, as indicated at 102, to fit around and substantiallyenclose the side rails 61 and 63 of the main inner frame member 34. Anasbestos or other type of heat insulating gasket 104 is mounted betweenthe under sides of the side flanges 100 and the tops of the sidesupporting rail sections 61 and 63 of the inner frame member 34, as bestshown in FIGURE 7. The gasket 104 provides a suitable heat insulationbarrier between the frying kettle 12 and its supporting rails 61 and 63.It will be noted that the frying kettle 12 is not fastened fixedly toany part of its supporting frame member 34, and consequently may be saidto be free floating since it is free to expand and/or contract in anydirection with changes of temperature of the frying shortening. Theweight of the frying kettle 12 and its shortening contents aresuificient to hold it frictionally in a substantially fixed position onits inner supporting frame member 34.

The changes of temperature in the frying shortening will range fromnormal room temperatures to approximately five hundred degrees F. Suchtemperature changes can cause a longitudinal expansion and/ orcontraction of over one-half inch in trying kettles over fifteen feet inlength. When the frying kettles are fastened fixedly to their supportingstructures, such expansion and/ or contraction sets up serious stressesand strains suflicient to cause breaks and/ or openings in its weldsfrom which the shortening can leak out of the frying kettle. Obviously,the repair of such breaks is very time consuming and costly because ofthe resultant shut down in production.

While the suspension of a free floating frying kettle has been shown anddescribed only in connection with the use of a remote heater and aheater transfer fluid for heating the shortening, it is practical to usethe free floating principle for the mounting of the prior art fryingkettles that are heated with direct gas burners or gas fired tubularboilers mounted within the kettle. This free floating mounting haspractically eliminated breaks in the welds, which have been the majorcause of leaks in such frying kettles.

THE HEATING SYSTEM The shortening in the frying kettle 12 is heated bymeans of a remote thermostatically controlled heater (not shown) and atransfer heating fluid (not shown), which is circulated through suitableintegrally formed heating coils hereinafter to be more fully explained.Such a system eliminates scale and sludge problems. The heat transferfluid is thermally stable, chemically inert, non-corrosive andnon-volatile. The heat transfer fluid may be heated in a heater locatedat any reasonable distance from the frying kettle 12. It may becirculated continuously through properly insulated piping (not shown) tothe frying kettle 12 and then returned to the heater for reheating,thereby forming a completely closed and sealed heating system.

With this type of heating system, it is possible for the temperature ofthe frying shortening to be controlled within a fluctuation not greaterthan two degrees F. Such even heat and unusual control of thetemperature of the frying shortening results in greater uniformity ofcolor and greater uniformity of cell structure in the fried finisheddoughnuts, which results in a greater expansion than can be produced inconventional fryers of the prior art hereinabove described.

It will be apparent in FIGURE 11 that the bottom 90 of the frying kettle12 is reinforced by longitudinally spaced and transversely extendingcross braces 105, and divided into individual heating quadrants, 106,107, 108 and 109, and that the integrally formed bottom heating coilsare so arranged that each quadrant circulates independently, having itsown inlet 126 and its own outlet 160. The connecting pipe system betweenthe inlets and outlets and the remote heater are not shown.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, the incoming heat transfer fluid is deliveredto each quadrant through an inlet pipe 116, passing through a coupling118 into a manifold 120, 'which subdivides the incoming fluid intoalterally extending branch pipes 122 and 124, leading to opposite sidesof the frying kettle, then through suitable couplings 125 and into theinlets 126. From the inlets 126, the heat transfer fluid enters anintegrally formed side heating coil 128, which is mounted along thesidewall 92 of the frying kettle 12 adjacent its bottom 90. The sideplate coil 128 conducts the heat transfer fluid to the back end 96 ofthe kettle 12. At the back end 96 of the kettle 12, the side heatingcoil 128 is connected to a transversely extending manifold 130, which,in turn, is connected with a series of longitudinally extending parallelbottom coils 132, 134, 136 and 138. The heating coils 132, 134, 136 and138 (see FIGURE 12) convey the heat transfer fluid towards the center ofthe kettle 12, whereupon they are connected by a series of transverselyextending heating coils 140 to a second series of longitudinallyextending parallel bottom heating coils 142, 144, 146 and 148, which inturn conduct the heat transfer fluid towards the end 96 of the kettle12. The coils 142, 144, 146 and 148 adjacent the end 96 are connected byanother series of transversely extending heating coils to a third seriesof longitudinally extending parallel heating coils 150, 152, 154 and156, which in turn conduct the heat transfer fluid again towards thecenter of the kettle 12 and into the outlet 160. From the outlet 160,the heat transfer fluid flows through a coupling 162 into a header 164,through another coupling 166 and into a pipe 168, which, in turn, isconnected by pipes (not shown) that return it to the remote heater forreheating to the proper temperature.

While the heating coil arrangement has been described in detail for onlythe quadrant 106, it is to be understood that each of the remainingquadrants 107, 108 and 109 is identical to that hereinabove describedfor the quadrant 106 andneed not be repeated herein.

The frying kettle 12, whose bottom slopes inwardly and downwardly fromits opposite ends, as best shown in FIGURE 2, towards a sump 169extending transversely thereof. The sump 169 is provided with a drainoutlet 170 for removing the frying shortening. The drain outlet 170 isconnected to a remote storage tank (not shown).

THE RECEIVING CONVEYOR Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown areceiving conveyor 14 consisting of a pair of transversely spaced chains201 and 203 mounted over longitudinally spaced rear sprocket wheels 205and 206 and spaced forward sprocket wheels 209 and 210. The transverselyspaced sprocket wheels 205 and 206 at the receiving end of the kettle 12idle on a shaft 211. The opposite or forward end of the receivingconveyor 14 has its spaced sprocket wheels 209 and 210 keyed to a shaft215. The chains 201 and 203 of the receiving conveyor 14 aretransversely connected by a longitudinally spaced series of flight bars219, which are of conventional construction and operate in aconventional manner to move the frying dough forms (not shown) forwardlyfor delivery to the turn-over device 16.

The drive shaft 215 has a second sprocket wheel 221 keyed thereto, whichhas a chain 223, whose opposite end engages a sprocket wheel 225, whichis mounted slightly above and rearwardly of the frying kettle 12. Thesprocket wheel 225 is keyed to a short shaft 227 that is journalled inan upstanding bearing bracket 229 welded to a base plate 231. The baseplate 231 has transversely and longitudinally spaced apertures 233 and234 for receiving locating dowel pins. The opposite end of the shaft 227has a second sprocket wheel 237 keyed thereto for receiving one side ofa conventional coupling chain.

A sprocket wheel 239 is mounted in axial alignment and in spacedrelation with the sprocket wheel 237 and the two form opposite sides ofthe chain coupling 241. The sprocket wheel 239 is keyed to a shaft 243mounted in a suitable bearing supporting bracket 245, that is bolted toa mounting plate 247. The opposite or outer end of the shaft 243 has asprocket wheel 249 keyed thereto, which is driven by a chain 468. Theshaft 243 has keyed to its outer end a ratchet wheel assembly unit 253,hav. ing manipulating handles 255. The ratchet wheel assembly unit 253forms no part of the present invention, but its construction andoperation are described and claimed in my United States Letters PatentNo. 3,154,187, issued Oct. 27, 1964.

THE SUBMERGED CONVEYOR Mounted in the frying kettle 12 immediately underthe dough former 260 and below and within the receiving end of thereceiving conveyor 14 is a submerged conveyor 262. The submergedconveyor 262 catches the freshly formed and sinking dough pieces, whichare momentarily too heavy to float in the frying shortening, and keepsthem moving forwardly until they have gained enough buoyancy byexpanding in the frying shortening to float, whereupon they will beengaged by the flight bars 219 of the receiving conveyor 14.

The supporting structure for the submerged conveyor 262 is best shown inFIGURE 8, and consists of a pair of transversely spaced band wheels 264and 266 mounted on the shaft 211, which shaft also has the idlersprocket wheels 205 and 206 of the receiving conveyor 14. A second shaft268 is mounted forwardly of the shaft 211, and has a pair of similarlyspaced band wheels 269 and 271 keyed thereto in longitudinal alignmentwith the band wheels 264 and 266. Such band wheels serve as a supportfor a flexible metal mesh screen belt 273.

The shaft 211 has a pair of spaced sprocket wheels 274 and 276. Theshaft 268 has a similar pair of spaced sprocket wheels 278 and 280. Thesprocket wheels 274 and 278 are aligned and connected by a chain. Thesprocket wheels 276 and 280 are aligned and connected by a chain. Thesealigned sprocket wheels and their respective chains drive the flexiblemetal mesh belt 273. The lattice-like structure 294, as best shown inFIGURE 8, consists of a pair of longitudinally spaced and transverselyextending cross braces 295 and four transversely spaced andlongitudinally extending braces 297. This lattice-like structureprovides a suitable support for preventing the upper level of the meshbelt 273 from sagging.

The shaft 211 has a fifth sprocket wheel 296 connected to the sprocketwheel 206, and the shaft 268 has a similar fifth sprocket wheel 299keyed thereto and aligned therewith. A chain 301 connects the sprocketwheels 296 and 299, thereby providing a suitable driving means for themeshed belt 273.

THE TURN-OVER DEVICE Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, there is shownmounted transversely of the frying kettle 12 at the discharge end of thereceiving conveyor 14, a conventional turn-over device 16 for receivingthe half fried doughnuts, turning them over and transferring them to thereceiving end of the delivery conveyor 18. The turn-over device 16 ismounted fixedly on a shaft 310. In the present illustration, the turnerhands 311 and 313 are formed of a series of transversely spaced wireloops. Each turner band 311 and 313 has one flat side, which receivesthe partially cooked doughnut and transfers it to the receiving end ofthe delivery conveyor 18, and one round side which serves as a stop forthe partially fried doughnuts until the flat side of the next turnerhand is moved into receiving position.

The shaft 310 has a sprocket wheel 319 keyed thereto, having a chain 321that connects with a sprocket wheel 323 on a shaft 325. The shaft 325has a sprocket wheel 327 keyed thereto, which forms one half of a chaincoupling. The shaft 325 is journalled in an upstanding bearing block328, which is mounted on a base plate 329. A sprocket wheel 331, whichforms the opposite half of the chain coupling 329 is keyed to a shaft333. The shaft 333 has a ratchet wheel assembly unit 335 keyed to itsopposite end for adjusting the relationship of the turn-over device 16to the receiving conveyor 14. This ratchet wheel assembly unit 335 isidentical to the ratchet wheel assembly unit 253 previously described,and is provided with manipulating handles 336.

THE DELIVERY CONVEYOR Mounted forwardly of the turn-over device 16 is adelivery conveyor 18, which receives the partially fried doughnutsdischarged by the turn-over device 16 and conveys them to the dischargeconveyor 20. The delivery conveyor 18 consists of transversely spacedchains 340 and 342 connected transversely at longitudinally spacedintervals by a series of flight bars 344.

The chain 340 is mounted over longitudinally spaced sprocket wheels 350and 352, and the chain 342 is likewise mounted over longitudinallyspaced sprocket wheels 354 and 356. The sprocket wheels 350 and 354 idleon a transversely extending shaft 360, and the sprocket wheels 352 and356 are keyed to a forwardly spaced transversely extending shaft 362.The shaft 362 has a third sprocket wheel 364 keyed thereto, driven by achain 366 whose opposite end engages a sprocket wheel 370 keyed to ashaft 372. The shaft 372 is journalled in an upstanding bearing block374 that is mounted on a base plate 375, and has a sprocket wheel 376keyed thereto, which forms one-half of a chain coupling hereinafter tobe described in greater detail.

A sprocket wheel 378 (see FIGURE 1), which forms the opposite half ofthe chain coupling, is keyed to a shaft 379 suitably journalled in asecond upstanding bearing block 380. The opposite end of the shaft 379has a ratchet unit assembly 382 keyed thereto, having manipulatinghandles 383. The ratchet unit assembly 382 is identical to the ratchetunit assembly 253 previously described, and is attached by bolts 386 tothe plate 384.

THE DISCHARGE CONVEYOR There is shown adjacent the outlet or dischargeend of the frying kettle 12 a discharge conveyor 20, which receives thefried and finished doughnuts from the delivery end of the deliveryconveyor 18 and removes them from the frying shortening for delivery tothe next operation (not shown), which may be coating, cooling and/ orpackaging.

The discharge conveyor is driven by a sprocket wheel 401, which is keyedto the shaft 362, a driving chain 403, whose opposite end engages asprocket Wheel 405 keyed to a shaft 407 that extends transversely of thefrying kettle 12, provides the driving means for the discharge conveyor.

The shaft 407 has spaced sprocket wheels 413 and 415 keyed thereto,which drives the chains 417 and 419, respectively. The opposite end ofthe chain 417 engages a sprocket wheel 421 idling on a shaft 423. Theopposite end of the chain 419 engages a sprocket wheel 429 also idlingon the shaft 423. The chains 417 and 419 are connected transversely by aseries of longitudinally spaced rods 431, which act as a belt to supportthe doughnuts travelling thereover.

THE DRIVING MECHANISM The main driving means for the doughnut machine isbest shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 8.

The machine is operated by means of an electric motor 451, which, inturn, drives a sprocket wheel 455 mounted on a shaft 456. The shaft 456has a sprocket wheel 457 driving a chain 458 which engages a sprocketwheel 459. The sprocket wheel 459 is keyed on an input shaft of a gearbox 460. An output shaft 461 of the gear box 460 is connected to auniversal joint 462, which drives a drive shaft 463, which is connectedto a universal joint 464 that drives a gear box 465. The gear box 465has an output shaft 466 to which a sprocket Wheel 467 is keyed, drivingthrough a chain 468 the sprocket wheel 249 of the ratchet unit assembly253 that, in turn, drives the receiving conveyor 14.

A second sprocket wheel 469 is keyed on the output shaft 466 of the gear465. The sprocket wheel 469 drives a chain 470, which, in turn, drives asprocket wheel 471 keyed to the shaft 333. The shaft 333 of the ratchetunit assembly 335, driving the turn-over device 16.

The gear box 465 has a second output shaft 476 driving a universal joint482, which, in turn, drives a shaft 483. The shaft 483 drives auniversal joint 484 that drives a driven shaft of a gear box 485. Anoutput shaft 486 of the gear box 485 has a sprocket wheel 487 keyedthereto, driving a chain 490. The chain 490, in turn, drives a sprocketwheel 492 keyed to the shaft 379, which drives the ratchet assembly 382,driving the delivery conveyor 18.

The shaft 456 has a series of cams keyed thereto within the box 493 forcontrolling the operation of the dough former 260. Since the doughformer 260 is of a conventional construction and forms no part of thepresent invention, the details of its operation need not be describedfurther herein.

9 THE REMOVABLE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE OPERATING WITHIN THE FRYING KETTLEWith the present invention, the supporting structure and conveyorsoperating within the frying kettle 12 have been made into an adjustableunitary structure that may be easily and conveniently removed from saidfrying kettle 12 to facilitate its cleaning without requiringdismantling of its various parts. In order to more clearly illustratethis novel feature of the invention, there is shown in FIGURE 8 theentire frame structure except for its major driving chains, which havebeen eliminated for the sake of clearness.

The unitary supporting structure 500 consists of a pair of side plates502 and 504. The side plates 502 and 504 have bearing blocks weldedthereto for journalling the ends of the shafts 211 and 268.

A rail 510 extends parallel to and is spaced inwardly of the side plate504 for providing a suitable support for the upper level of the drivingchain 301. The rail 510 is fastened to the side plate 504 by a series oflongitudinally spaced brackets 512.

A rail 514 is mounted parallel to and spaced inwardly of the side plate502. It projects forwardly a substantial distance to a point just beyondthe shaft 268. The rail 514 is welded to the inner ends of a series oflongitudinally spaced supporting blocks 516, whose opposite ends arewelded to said side plate 502. The rail 514 is mounted so that its topedge is capable of supporting the upper level of the receiving conveyorchain 201, thereby preventing its flight bars 219 from sagging below thenormal level of the frying shortening in the kettle 12.

A rail 520 is mounted parallel to and spaced inwardly of the side plate504. It projects forwardly parallel with the rail 514 to a pointslightly beyond the shaft 268. The rail 520 is welded to a series oflongitudinally spaced supporting brackets 522, whose opposite ends arewelded to the side plate 504. The rail 520 is so mounted that its tophorizontal edge is capable of forming a support for the upper level ofthe chain 203 of the receiving conveyor 14, thereby preventing itsflight bars 219 from sagging below the normal level of the shortening inthe kettle 12.

The side plates 502 and 504 each has an upstanding metal strap 525welded thereto, whose upper ends project above the top edges of saidplates. The upper projecting ends of the straps 525 are apertured toprovide means for receiving a hook of a conventional lifting chain.

A tie-bar 527 is spaced from the forward end of the rail 514 and extendsforwardly in longitudinal alignment therewith. The tie-bar 527 is boltedadjustably, as indicated at 528, to a spacer 530, which, in turn, iswelded to the forward end of the side plate 502. The forward or oppositeend of the tie-bar 527 is bolted to a pair of spacer blocks 531, whichin turn, are welded to a forwardly extending side plate 532.

A tie-bar 534 is mounted parallel to the tie-bar 527 and is similarlyspaced forwardly of the rail 520 and in longitudinal alignmenttherewith. The tie-bar 534 is bolted adjustably, as indicated at 535,through slots 538 in the tie-bar 534 to a spacer block 536, which, inturn, is welded to the forward end of the side plate 504. The forward oropposite end of the tie-bar 534 is bolted to a pair of spacer blocks537, which, in turn, are welded to a forwardly extending side plate 547.

There is shown in FIGURE 10 the means 539 for adjusting the side plate504 with respect of the forward end of the tie-bar 534. A block 540 iswelded to the outside surface of the tie-bar 534, and has a threadedopening therethrough for receiving a tightening bolt 541, whoserearwardly projecting end engages the front end of the spacer block 536.The tightening bolt 541 is provided A with a locking nut 542. When theshoulder bolts 535 are loosened and the tightening bolt 541 is threadedinto the 10 block 540, the end of the bolt 541 will force the side platerearwardly to take up the slack in the receiving conveyor chain 203. Thelocking nut 542 may now be tightened as Well as the shoulder bolts 535to fixedly secure the position.

The adjustment means 539 between the forward end of the side plate 502and the tie-bar 527 operate in an identical manner. The adjustment means539 forces its side plate 502 rearwardly to take up the slack in thereceiving conveyor chain 201.

The side plate 532 extends forwardly in longitudinal alignment with theside plate 502. Its rear end is welded to the outer sides of the blocks531, whose opposite sides support the forward end of the tie-bar 527.The side plate 532 has its forward end welded to a spacer block 545,which in turn supports the rear end of the tie-bar 553.

A parallel side plate 547 is mounted on the opposite side of the machinein longitudinal alignment with the side plate 504. Its rear end iswelded to the opposite sides of the pair of spacer blocks 537 and itsforward end is welded to the outside of a spacer block 549.

The side plates 532 and 547 with their transversely mounted cross-braces546 and 548 form a rigid box-like structure to provide suitable supportfor the drive shafts 215, 310 and 360, whose bearing blocks are weldedto the outside surfaces thereof. Each of the side plates 532 and 547 isprovided with a suitable lifting strap 551, which is identical to thelifting straps 525.

A tie-bar 553 is adjustably mounted on the inner side of the spacerblock 545 by shoulder bolts 555 and extends forwardly. The forward endof the tie-bar 553 is bgted to a pair of longitudinally spaced spacerblocks 5 Another tie-bar 561 extends forwardly from the spacer block 549in parallel relation to the tie-bar 553, and has its forward end boltedto a longitudinally spaced pair of spacer blocks 563.

The tie-bars 553 and 561 are provided each with adjustable means 566 and567, respectively, which are identical in construction and operation tothe adjustable means 539 previously described and shown in FIGURE 10.The tie-bars 553 and 561 are mounted in alignment with the upper runs ofthe chains 340 and 342 of the delivery conveyor 18, respectively, andthe adjustable means 566 and 567 permit said chains to have their slacktaken up when necessary.

The spacer blocks 557, which support the forward end of the tie-bar 553,have welded to their outer sides a side plate 572, whose opposite endextends forwardly.

The spacer blocks 563, which support the forward en of the tie-bar 561,have welded to their outer sides a side plate 580, whose opposite endextends forwardly.

The forward ends of the side plates 572 and 580 are welded to atransversely extending rod 582, which with the spacer blocks 557 and 563and the transversely ending cross-brace 583 form a rigid box-likesupporting frame for mounting the drive shafts 362 and 407, whosebearing brackets are welded to the outer surfaces of the side plates 572and 580. The side plates 572 and 580 are each provided with a liftingstrap 585, which are identical to the lifting straps 525 previouslydescribed.

Extending forwardly of the rod 582 connecting the forward ends of theside plates 572 and 580 is a rigid boxlike supporting frame structurefor mounting the discharge conveyor 20. The rigid frame structureconsists of a pair of spaced side plates 584 and 586 braced transverselyadjacent their forward ends by cross-braces 588. The frame structure isalso reinforced by longitudinally extending and transversely spacedbraces 590, the outer two of such braces 590 also provide rail supportsto prevent the top level of the conveyor chains 417 and 419 fromsagging.

The forward ends of the side plates 584 and 586 are each provided withadjustable means 592 and 594 for taking up slack in the conveyor chains417 and 419. These adjustable means 592 and 594 are similar to andoperate in the same manner as the previously described adjustment means539, which is shown in FIGURE 10.

The side plates 502 and 504 are each bolted on the lower ends of thevertical arms of a pair of longitudinally spaced angular brackets 601and 603. The horizontal arms of the brackets 601 and 603 projectoutwardly over the cover plate 89 of the supporting frame structures 32and 34.

The side plate 532 is likewise bolted on the lower ends of the verticalarms of a pair of longitudinally spaced angular brackets 605 and 607.Their horizontal arms project outwardly over the cover plate 89.

The side plate 572 is similarly provided with a large angular bracket609, whose horizontal arm projects outwardly over the cover plate 89.The top of the angular bracket 609 is provided with a pair oftransversely and longitudinally spaced apertures 611, which are adaptedto be mounted over and receive similarly spaced upwardly projectinglocating dowel pins 613. The dowel pins 613, which project upwardly froma base plate 615, which in turn is bolted, as indicated at 617, to abase plate 619. The base plate 619 is secured to the outer rail 36 bytap bolts 88, as best shown in FIGURE 7.

The dowel pins 613, together with the dowel pins of the ratchet unit253, the dowel pins for the ratchet unit 335 and the dowel pins for theratchet unit 382 provide means for accurately recentering the unitaryremovable supporting structure 500 in the frying kettle 12.

The unitary removable supporting frame structure 500, which is mountedwithin the frying kettle 12, is a rigid frame structure comprising threespaced box-like frame structures longitudinally connected by paralleladjustable tie-bars. The tie-bars permit adjustments to take up slack inthe receiving conveyor chains and in the delivery conveyor chains, andthe upper edges of such tie-bars also serve as a supporting means orrail for said chains.

The first box-like structure consists of the side plates 502 and 504connected transversely by the cross-braces 295 of the supporting framestructure 294 of the submerged conveyor 262. The first box-likestructure provides suitable support for the transversely mounted shafts211 and 268.

The tie-bars 527 and 534, which are adjustable with the side plates 502and 504, connect the first box-like structure to a second box-likestructure, comprising the side plates 532 and 547 suitably connected bycross-braces 546 and 548. This second box-like structure provides asuitable support for mounting the transversely extending shafts 215, 310and 360.

A pair of parallel tie-bars 553 and 561, which are ad justably connectedto the forward ends of the side plates 532 and 547 of the secondbox-like structure, serve to connect it with a third box-like structure,comprising the side plates 572 and 580 and their transversely connectingcross-braces 582 and 583. The third box-like supporting structure servesas a supporting frame structure for the transversely extending shafts362 and 407, as well as the forwardly extending supporting frame for thedischarge conveyor 20.

THE MOUNTING FOR THE DRIVE ASSEMBLIES It will be noted in FIGURE 1 thatthere are three distinct drive assembly units 253, 335 and 382, beingone each for driving the receiving conveyor 14, the turnover device 16and the delivery conveyor 18, respectively. These units are identical.The unit 382, which is best shown in detail in FIGURE 9 should besufficient for a complete understanding of their construction.

Referring now to FIGURE 9, there is shown a base plate 84, which ismounted on the side rail 38 of the outer frame structure 32 below thecover 89. The ratchet unit assembly 382 is mouned on an H shapedmounting plate 384, having an upstanding bearing block 3 80 weldedthereto.

The H-shaped mounting plate 384 provides the main base mounting of thechain coupling unit, and has longitudinally extending adjustment slots612 and 614 through which the fastening tap bolts 386 pass. The oppositeor inner arm of the H-plate 384 is provided with a pair oflongitudinally and transversely spaced dowel pins 616 and 618 projectingupwardly therefrom. The base plate 375 has correspondingly spacedapertures adapted to receive the upwardly projecting dowel pins,providing an accurate centering means for the coupling unit. A doublelink coupling chain 620 is adapted to fit over the adjacent sprocketwheels 376 and 378. The ends of the chain are coupled together by amanually removable pin 622. The base plate 375 is secured tightly to theH-plate 384- by means of pivotal clamping members 624 and 626, which arein turn secured by winged tap bolts 628 and 630.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the side brackets603, 605, 607 and 609 are each secured fixedly to the main supportingframe structure by means of pivotal clamping members 634, which areremovably secured in a fixed position projecting over said brackets bywing tap bolts 636.

Manifestly, when the chain 620 of the chain coupling has been removed bywithdrawing the fastening pin 622 and the pivotal clamping members 624,626 and 634 have each been loosened and swung out of locking position,the unitary removable supporting structure 500 operating within thefrying kettle 12, including its conveyors, chains and turn-over device,may be lifted upwardly and removed from the frying kettle 12, as bestshown diagrammatically in FIGURE 13.

MEANS FOR REMOVING THE INNER SUPPORT- ING STRUCTURE FROM THE FRYINGKETTLE With commercial doughnut machines of the character described, itis always necessary to provide a fume collecting hood 680 with itsconventional smoke pipes 682 and 684 for conducting the fumes into theoutside atmosphere. Such hoods 680 are usually mounted closely over theopen tops of the frying kettles. Consequently, it will be necessary toraise up the hood 680 when the inner supporting structure 500 is to beraised and removed from the frying kettle 12.

There is shown in FIGURE 13 one means adapted for raising the fumecollecting hood 680 and with its unitary 9 removable supportingstructure 500. This means consists of a series of cables 692 and 694,forming part of a conventional powered block and tackle unit 696 mountedon an I-beam 698 secured in any suitable manner to the ceiling of theplant in which the machine has been installed. The ends of each of thecables 692 and 694 have two short chains 700 and 702 attached thereto,whose opposite ends are secured to I bolts 704 threadingly mounted inthe frame structure for the hood 680.

The side rails 706 of the hood 680 have a series of spaced chains 708depending therefrom, which chains 708 are located in vertical alignmentwith the lifting straps 525, 551 and 585 of the inner removablesupporting structure 500. The lower ends of the chains 708 are providedwith hooks which are adapted to engage the apertures in said straps 525,551 and 585. See FIGURES 2 and 13.

It will be assumed that, before the inner supporting structure 500 is tobe raised and removed from the frying kettle 12, the frying shorteningcontained therein will have been drained therefrom through the drainoutlet 170.

When the kettle 12 has been cleaned, the cables of the block and tacklemay be lowered, thereby lowering the supporting structure 500 to itsnormal operating position within the frying kettle 12. This can beaccomplished merely by centering the supporting structure 500 on theseveral groups of transversely and longitudinally spaced dowel pinspreviously described. When the inner supporting structure 500 has beenpositioned over the aligning dowel means, the several pivotal clampingmembers may be moved into clamping position and tightened down. It willbe found that the adjacent sprockets of each of the chain couplings willalso have been properly positioned and in axial alignment so that theirrespective coupling chains may be mounted thereover and secured manuallyby their respective fastening pins 622.

THE OPERATION OF THE -MACHINE It is not believed to be necessary toagain describe in detail the complete operation of the machine, sinceits basic structures are well known and understood and since theoperation of its several novel features have already been fullydescribed.

Obviously, the basic novel features of the machine involves the use ofremote heating equipment with a heat transfer fluid being continuouslycirculated through heating coils for-med integral with the fryingkettle, the mount ing of the frying kettle in a free-floating manner topermit free expansion and contraction of its metal with changes intemperature of the frying shortening, and the complete removability ofthe inner operating mechanism within the kettle as a unit withoutrequiring dismantling.

Although I have shown and described in detail but one form which theinvention may assume, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat the invention is not to be so limited, but that various othermodifications may be made therein without departing from the spiritthereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a doughnut machine of the class described comprising a metalfrying kettle of substantial length as compared to its width dimensionsand of a substantial width as compared to its height dimensions havingside flanges for suspending the same,.a receiving conveyor adjacent oneend of said kettle having spaced flight bars operating on the level ofits frying shortening for receiving raw dough forms deposited into saidkettle and advancing them towards a turn-over device, a turn-over devicefor receiving the partially fried dough forms from said receivingconveyor, turning them over and delivering them to a delivery conveyor,a delivery conveyor mounted forwardly of said turn-over device havingspaced flight bars operating on the level of the frying shortening forreceiving the partially fried turned-over dough forms from saidturn-over device and advancing them to the discharge end of said kettle,main driving means for operating said receiving conveyor, said turn-overdevice and said delivery conveyor, and, in combination therewith,

(1) a supporting frame structure comprising an outer frame and an innerframe,

(a) said outer frame supporting the main driving means for saidreceiving conveyor, said turn-over device and said delivery conveyor,

(b) said inner frame being supported :by said outer frame atlongitudinally spaced intervals, and

(c) said inner frame having said frying kettle suspended therefrom byits side flanges and being free of any fixed attachment thereto.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the inner frame comprises a seriesof longitudinally spaced supporting rails extending along opposite sidesthereof.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said side flanges are integrallyformed on the frying kettle and are adapted to rest on said rails tosuspend the same therefrom.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein the frying kettle is insulated fromsaid inner frame by a series of heat insulating gaskets mounted betweenthe top portions of said inner frame and the undersides of said sideflanges.

5. In a doughnut machine of the class described comprising a metalfrying kettle of substantial length as compared to its width dimensionsand of a substantial width as compared to its height dimensions, areceiving conveyor adjacent one end of said kettle having spaced flightbars operating adjacent the level of its frying shortening for receivingraw dough forms deposited into said kettle and advancing them towards aturn-over device, a turn-over device for receiving the partially cookeddough forms from said receiving conveyor, turning them over anddelivering them to a delivery conveyor, a delivery conveyor mountedforwardly of said turn-over deice having spaced flight bars operatingadjacent the level of the frying shortening for receiving the partiallycooked turned-over dough forms from said turn-over device and advancingthem to the discharge end of said kettle, said frying kettle having aseries of integrally formed spaced heating coils arranged in a pluralityof units, and each unit has its own inlet and outlet for receiving anddischarging a heat transfer fluid to be circulated therethrough.

6. The invention defined in claim 5, wherein the integrally formedspaced heating coils of each unit extend along a portion of a sidewalland over a portion of the bottom of said frying kettle.

7. The invention defined in claim 5, wherein the inlet is connected tothe heating coils of each unit along the sidewalls of said frying kettlebefore passing through said bottom heating coils and into the outlet.

8. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said receiving conveyor,said turn-over device and said delivery conveyor are mounted on aunitary supporting structure that is removable from said frying kettlewithout dismantling, said unitary supporting structure comprising aseries of longitudinally spaced rigid box-like structures connected by aseries of transversely spaced tie-bars.

9. The invention defined in claim 8, wherein said tiebars arelongitudinally adjustable.

10. In a doughnut machine of the class described, comprising asupporting frame structure having a main outer frame and an inner frame,said outer frame supporting said inner frame in spaced relation thereto,said outer frame supporting a main driving means, said inner framesupporting a metal frying kettle of substantial length as compared toits width dimensions and of substantial width as compared to its heightdimensions adapted to contain a frying shortening, a unitary supportingstructure adapted to be mounted removably within the shortening in saidfrying kettle, said supporting structure having a receiving conveyor,adjacent the receiving end of said kettle provided with spaced flightbars operating adjacent the level of the frying shortening for receivingraw dough forms deposited into said shortening and advancing themtowards "a turn-over device, a turn-over for receiving the partiallycooked dough forms from said receiving conveyor, turning them over anddelivering them to a delivery conveyor, a delivery conveyor mountedforwardly of said turn-over device provided with spaced flight :barsoperating adjacent the level of the shortening for receiving thepartially cooked and turned-over dough forms from said turn-over deviceand advancing them to the discharge end of said kettle,

(a) a main driving means comprising separate driving units for operatingsaid receiving conveyor, said turn-over device and said deliveryconveyor mounted in spaced relation on said main outer frame structure,

(b) said unitary supporting structure having coacting driving meansspaced correspondingly to said separate driving units on said outerframe structure which are readily connectable and separable whereby whenseparated said unitary supporting structure may be removed as a unitfrom said frying kettle.

11. The invention defined in claim 10 wherein the receiving conveyor hasan upwardly inclined submerged conveyor mounted below its receiving endand operably connected therewith for receiving the deposited r-aw doughformsand moving them into its flight bars operating adjacent the levelof the frying shortening in said kettle.

12. The invention defined in claim 10, wherein the delivery conveyor hasan upwardly inclined discharge conveyor mounted forwardly of thedelivery end thereof and operably connected therewith for receiving thecooked doughnuts from the delivery conveyor and removing them from thefrying shortening in said kettle.

13. The invention defined in claim 10, wherein the receiving conveyorhas an upwardly inclined submerged conveyor mounted below its receivingend and operably connected therewith for receiving the deposited rawdough forms and moving them upwardly into its flight bars operatingadjacent the level of the frying shortening in said kettle, and whereinthe delivery conveyor has an upwardly inclined discharge conveyormounted forwardly of the delivery end thereof and operably connectedtherewith for receiving the cooked doughnuts from the delivery con-References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Ferry 99405 Roehl et al. 99-405 XScharsch 99--404 Mojonnier et al. 165-469 X McBeth 99404 X Smith.

Benson et al 99-404 Munschauer et al. 100214 Roth 99-404 X Benson et al99-406 veyor and removing them from the frying shortening in 15 BILLY J.WILHITE, Primary Examiner.

said kettle.

1. IN A DOUGHNUT MACHINE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED COMPRISING A METALFRYING KETTLE OF SUBSTANTIAL LENGTH AS COMPARED TO ITS WIDTH DIMENSIONSAND OF A SUBSTANTIAL WIDTH AS COMPARED TO ITS HEIGHT DIMENSIONS HAVINGSIDE FLANGES FOR SUSPENDING THE SAME, A RECEIVING CONVEYOR ADJACENT ONEEND OF SAID KETTLE HAVING SPACED FLIGHT BARS OPERATING ON THE LEVEL OFITS FRYING SHORTENING FOR RECEIVING RAW DOUGH FORMS DEPOSITED INTO SAIDKETTLE AND ADVANCING THEM TOWARDS A TURN-OVER DEVICE, A TURN-OVER DEVICEFOR RECEIVING THE PARTIALLY FRIED DOUGH FORMS FROM SAID RECEIVINGCONVEYOR, TURNING THEM OVER AND DELIVERING THEM TO A DELIVERY CONVEYOR,A DELIVERY CONVEYOR MOUNTED FORWARDLY OF SAID TURN-OVER DEVICE HAVINGSPACED FLIGHT BARS OPERATING ON THE LEVEL OF THE FRYING SHORTENING FORRECEIVING THE PARTIALLY FRIED TURNED-OVER DOUGH FORMS FROM SAIDTURN-OVER DEVICE AND ADVANCING THEM TO THE DISCHARGE END OF SAID KETTLE,MAIN DRIVING MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID RECEIVING CONVEYOR, SAID TURN-OVERDEVICE AND SAID DELIVERY CONVEYOR, AND, IN COMBINATION THEREWITH, (1) ASUPPORTING FRAME STRUCTURE COMPRISING AN OUTER FRAME AND AN INNER FRAME,(A) SAID OUTER FRAME SUPPORTING THE MAIN DRIVING MEANS FOR SAIDRECEIVING CONVEYOR, SAID TURN-OVER DEVICE AND SAID DELIVERY CONVEYOR,(B) SAID INNER FRAME BEING SUPPORTED BY SAID OUTER FRAME ATLONGITUDINALLY SPACED INTERVALS, AND (C) SAID INNER FRAME HAVING SAIDFRYING KETTLE SUSPENDED THEREFROM BY ITS SIDE FLANGES AND BEING FREE OFANY FIXED ATTACHMENT THERETO.